General information

Bjcem and the City of Milan announce the launch of Mediterranea 17 Young Artists Biennale, an international multidisciplinary event, taking place in Milan, Italy, at Fabbrica del Vapore, 4 Procaccini Street, from October 22nd to November 22nd 2015, bringing together more than 300 artists, that will be present in town from October 22nd to October 25th.

Started in 1985, the Biennial takes place every two years in a different city in the Mediterranean area focusing on young artists and creators. Bjcem is an international network with more than 70 members and partners from Europe, Middle East and Africa, which, thanks to their support, make the event possible ensuring the participation of artists from the territories they represent.

The call is open to visual artists, filmmakers, writers, performers, musicians, designers stylists, chefs under the age of 35 (born by December 31st 1980) coming from one of the country listed at the end of the present call.

Artists have to present one specific proposal related to the concept. The participation to the present call is free of charges and it’s open to everyone regardless of gender, religion, social and political behaviors. Artists that have participated in more than one previous edition can’t apply, priority will be given to artists that have never attended the event.

Visual Arts

All forms of visual expression, realized with traditional or innovative instruments, digital or analogical, are taken into consideration. In particular, it will be possible to present works of painting, sculpture, engraving, photography, comics, video art; installations; public art; web projects and mixed media; performative interventions within the exhibition spaces.

The artworks will be presented for inclusion in a collective exhibition and therefore will not be allowed to ask for suitable conditions for individual exhibitions.

The artworks can not exceed 4 linear meters and can not take up a surface of more than 2 x 2 meters.

Applied Arts

The following disciplines are taken into consideration:

Architecture:

It can be presented projects of buildings, local, public and private spaces, conceptual works, whether realized or not. For the selection it’s necessary to send tables of the project, plans and photographs of any plastic, with a folder of the project description.

Industrial Design:

It can be presented objects of industrial or artisanal production (furniture, accessories, household products, jewelry). For the selection it has to be sent at least photographs of 3/5 works with a report for each object (maximum 10 lines) specifying name and surname of the author, the size of the work, technique of realization, year of execution and title.

Visual Design:

It can be presented projects aimed at the graphic and visual communication. For the selection it has to be sent 3/5 works: every project can be presented in original, printed, or in photography, accompanied by a report (maximum 10 lines). If the project is sent in hard copy, it must be inserted name and surname of the author, the size of the work, technique of realization, year of execution and title.

Web Design:

It can be accepted graphic, visual and sound projects finalized to web communication. For the selection it has to be presented the project in max 10 folders together with illustrative instruments.

Fashion:

It can be accepted original models with eventual accessories. It is possible to present collections for spring/summer or autumn/winter. For the selection it can be presented drawings, sketches, color photographs of the leaders, illustration of fabrics and accessories, documentation of previous creations. The models will be presented in the exhibition and in special session dedicated to experts in this field through a way to be defined.

Digital creation:

It can be presented original works made with the use of several different technologies. For the selection it can be sent a project of max 10 folders together with illustrative instruments.

Literature

It is possible to present: romances, essays, poems, tales and short stories. It will be admitted original texts and unpublished texts without technical and narrative context limitations.

Show

It is possible to present the following disciplines:

Theatre:

It is possible to present performances without limitations of technique and language of original works (maximum duration 90 minutes) that will be presented on a 8×6 meters stage with a standard audio and lightening equipment. For the performances that will not need a big stage it is foreseen a stage of 4×3 meters with a standard audio and lightening equipment. The group can be composed of a maximum of six people (including writers, set designers, technicians, etc. ). For the selection it has to be sent a video of the show or, in case you have never presented it before: materials of the shows already performed and a draft of the project that you want to perform. It’s possible to include in the candidature also pictures of the group and, if present, a press review of the shows presented in the past.

Dance:

It is possible to present original choreography of contemporary dance without style limitations (maximum duration 45 minutes) that will be presented on a 8×6 meters stage with a standard audio and lightening equipment. The group should be composed of a maximum of six people (including writers, set designers, technicians, etc.). For the selection it has to be sent a video documentation of the show or a project with attached documentation materials of the activities of the group.

Urban Acts:

It is possible to present events or actions to be implemented in outdoor areas, through the use of different languages and media. The group can be composed of a maximum of six people (including writers, set designers, technicians etc.). For the selection it has to be sent a project of the intervention with attached documentation materials of the activities of the group .

Music

It is possible to present original compositions and music productions for the following genres: Rock, Pop, Jazz, Folk / Ethno, Contemporary, Digital / DJ ‘s, Electronic music. During the Biennale the work will be presented in a concert of at least 45 minutes on a 8×6 meters stage with a standard audio and lightening equipment. Each group can be made by a maximum of 6 people (including authors, performers, technicians etc.). For the selection it has to be sent pieces of music composed by the group or by the author and illustrative material (photographs, press releases, etc.). For the resident back-line please refer to the technical form that you have to fill in for the candidature.

Cinema / Video

It can be presented: short films, medium-length films, documentaries, animation films. For the selection it has to be sent a link to download the film, a file trough wetransfer or it will be possible to use a different media (USB flash drive or DVD), taking care to specify name and surname of the author and the cast and crew, made up of the work, year of production, title, participation to festivals etc.

Gastronomy

It is possible to present a full menu with original recipes, suggestions for appetizers and tastings accompanied by wine list and ingredients. The selected chefs will have the possibility to attend a group event with food tasting. For the preparation of their proposal that will have at their disposal a professional kitchen. The organiser will provide the needed ingredients for the preparation of the recipe.

The deadline for submitting the applications is March 15th

March 31st 2015

Artists will be selected by local or national juries made by experts in the different fields. The juries will select the participants on the basis of the presented materials. Their decision is final and not subject to appeal. The results will be documented in a report, presenting the reasons for the choice of artists. Quality of work and how well your proposal meets the concept will be basic selection criteria.

If your work is selected you will be invited to attend the event and present your work. The shipment of the works, travels, insurances, installation, board and lodging and support for visa requests will be provided by selecting bodies and local organiser.

No fees will be provided for the participating in the Biennial.

How to present the candidature

In order to present the candidature it is mandatory to send to one of the BJCEM member of your country of residence (see the complete list below):

CV and portfolio with personal data of the artists and of the group;

The technical form duly filled in in each part in English and signed;

The materials necessary to better present the work proposed.

The submission of the application automatically implies the complete acceptance of the present regulations and the approval of the reproduction of images or video of the selected works in the presentation and promotional materials of the event or of the selected artists. The present announcement shall be governed by the law of the country in which you send your application. For more information is possible to contact the BJCEM member present in the country in which is presented the candidature (please see the list at the end of the call).

Concept

The nourishing process involves an exchange: something is assimilated and consumed to provide energy to something else. A cycle that can be either virtuous or vicious, depending on what you decide or have the opportunity to consume. Even imaginary works this way: it must be fed and cared of, cultivated, cleaned up from what is no longer needed. Through our work as artists, we feed our imaginary and the one of the people; we can have him be moved, have him reflect, consider, feel; we can leave seeds that will sprout out in time, creating the ground on which the future generations will intervene; we can shift points of view, provide stimuli, suggest changes.

For the last several years nutrition has mostly been spoken of in terms of health: we should instead talk about it considering an inner sense as well, with a call to reflect on how we nourish our deepest and invisible parts and how we live at the mercy of our habits, not only practically but also mentally and emotionally. As Shakespeare teaches, “That monster, custom, / who all sense doth eat, /Of habits devil, is angel yet in this, /That to the use of actions fair and good /He likewise gives a frock or livery, / That aptly is put on” (Hamlet, III, IV).

The languages of art are extremely effective in this direction, since they’ve always consisted in exchanges among human beings, often aiming to gather all those who are alive on the inside and feel the need for this exchange. Exactly this need makes us face with questions: what imaginary are we offering to nurture with our work ? What can we give to our audience? What do we wish to remain in them? And what’s the effect that our creative process is having on us? This Biennial is a wonderful opportunity to showcase innovative works, developed towards an overall awareness of their artistic action, understood as a process that develops both before and after the creation of an artpiece or the act of performing; a process that leaves marks on us and in those who share with us the time and space of our activity

For artists coming from countries of Southern Mediterranean Area where there is not a member of Bjcem Association could send their application to bjcem.aisbl@gmail.com. Their selection will be made by National Committees of Bjcem Association.